To: Wellesley College Faculty, Staff, and Alumnae
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: New assistant vice president for alumnae relations and global engagement
Date: February 3, 2025
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Erin Corcoran ’13 as the new assistant vice president for alumnae relations and global engagement.
Erin is a proven leader who has spent much of her career as a dedicated public servant and has extensive experience managing complex environments in demanding organizations. In addition, her years as a committed volunteer leader, serving as president and as a board member of the Washington Wellesley Club (WWC), have given her a deep understanding of the many ways in which alumnae enrich and uplift the College and each other.
Since 2017, Erin has worked for the U.S. Department of Defense in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as the special assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. In this role, Erin provided guidance to some of the most senior leaders in the department. Her work included developing and implementing foreign policy recommendations, executing high-priority projects for senior leaders, and building and leveraging dynamic relationships.
Her previous roles within the Department of Defense included positions in the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the U.S. Department of the Navy.
Erin’s service to the College is significant. As a leader of the WWC, a group of more than 2,000 alumnae from across the Washington, D.C., area, including parts of Maryland and Virginia, she partnered with the Wellesley College Alumnae Association (WCAA) and the College on several large events in Washington. She served as her class reunion co-chair for her fifth and 10th reunions, and in 2019 she was honored with a Sed Ministrare award in recognition of her volunteer service.
Erin has also volunteered with several historical sites in Washington, including the National Park Service’s Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, Ford’s Theatre, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
In addition to her Wellesley degree in international relations-political science, Erin holds a master of arts in defense and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. She recently completed a certificate in leading teams through the Yale School of Management’s women’s leadership program.
Erin has shared: “I am thrilled to join Wellesley in this role at such an exciting time for the College and our alumnae. I look forward to bringing my experience in public service and Wellesley alumnae volunteer work to this position, and I am excited to find new opportunities for alumnae and students to connect with our community and strengthen Wellesley’s role in the world for generations to come.”
Erin will join the College in early March. She is eager to work with Tara Murphy, vice president of communications, public affairs, and global engagement; the WCAA staff; the WCAA Advisory Board; and our extensive network of alumnae volunteer leaders to build upon and advance Wellesley’s alumnae relations work following the historic merger of the WCAA with the College. She will play a key role in the planning and execution of our 150th anniversary celebrations, including by highlighting the many ways Wellesley alumnae—35,000 strong across the globe—are helping to shape a better world.
I want to express my appreciation to the members of the search committee: Laura Adamczyk ’87, principal gift officer; Laura Sue Cohen D’Annunzio ’85; Crystal Churchwell Evans ’07; Tara Murphy; Jen Pollard, associate provost and Lulu Chow Wang ’66 Executive Director of Career Education; Carolyn Slaboden, chief human resources officer; and Karen Williamson ’69.
I also want to thank Leigh Osler Creveling ’00, our interim assistant vice president since November, for her leadership and service. Leigh will remain at the College until the end of May to help ensure a seamless transition.
Please join me in welcoming Erin back to Wellesley.
